Odunde Festival

Odunde Festival
Odunde Festival celebrated in Southwest Center City in Philadelphia
Observed by Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
Type Cultural, commercial
Date Second Sunday in June
2017 date June 11  (2017-06-11)
2018 date June 10  (2018-06-10)
2019 date June 9  (2019-06-09)
2020 date June 14  (2020-06-14)
Frequency annual

The Odunde Festival is a one-day festival and mostly a street market catered to African-American interests and the African diaspora. It is derived from the tradition of the Yoruba people of Nigeria in celebration of the new year. It is centered at the intersection of Grays Ferry Avenue and South Street in the U.S. city of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.

History

The Odunde festival started in Philadelphia in 1975. Lois Fernandez established the festival with $100 from neighborhood donations.[1] The celebration is now the largest African celebration on the east coast of the United States. It is held in the month of June. The festival brings in Africans from all parts of the world, including Africa, Brazil, and other places around the United States.[2] According to WXPN, "... beginning with an all-inclusive spiritual procession to the Schuylkill River, the festival carries on from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m., filling the day with vibrant traditional clothing, African food, and art and craft vendors from around the world."[3]

See also

References

  1. ↑ Gregg, Cherri (May 13, 2013). "Oshunbumi Fernandez, Caring Through Culture and Odunde 365". CBS Philly. Retrieved 14 March 2018.
  2. ↑ Jenkins, Kristina (June 6, 2013). "Our Guide To The Odunde Festival, Set To Bring A Celebration Of African-American Culture To South Street West This Sunday, June 9". UWISHUNU Philadelphia. Retrieved 14 March 2018.
  3. ↑ Mazenko, Elizabeth (June 7, 2013). "Odunde Festival closes the streets for its 38th anniversary". WXPN. Retrieved 14 March 2018.
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